Just received a letter from a friend who recently suffered the loss of his dear daughter. His last statement to me was, "May God bless you in this valley of tears." That struck me in the heart. Surely we are passing through this "Valley of Baca" (weeping). There are the blessings of God along the way, but largely it is a vale of weeping. People are in pain and trouble on every hand. I truly see the meaning of David in Ps.42:3, "My tears have been my meat day and night."
Lest this sound like a "downer" it is not. My friend wrote of his daughter: "The most comforting aspect of the whole situation is that her faith in Christ was firm unto the end." What a great blessing! We recently had the funeral of our brother Tommy Walker, and I rejoice to say of him, his faith in Christ was firm unto the end. Is that not what it's all about? The most profound sadness is the death of a loved one who showed no confidence in the Savior. I want to say to my loved ones, "Stop and look where you are. You are walking on the brink of eternal woe and tears. How I dread to see you go without the blessed Redeemer."
Yes, this is a valley of Baca. Ah, but our Lord Jesus shall erase all of this deep anguish. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" Rev. 21:4. So I say to my friend, "Your dear daughter weeps no more." Yes, you weep, but not for long. Walk through this valley and weep but also rejoice in the sure knowled,ge of His comforting hand who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. (Heb.4:15).
My heart goes out to all who have their dear loved ones taken. They weep and I weep for them. I weep and they weep for me. And so it goes in this valley, to HIS glory, now and forevermore.